Android’s Quick Share can now send files directly to iPhones, iPads and Macs via AirDrop mode

Google has dramatically extended the reach of its Quick Share feature by making it compatible with Apple’s AirDrop. The surprise update, rolling out first to the Pixel 10 series, enables seamless peer-to-peer file transfers between Android and iOS or macOS devices.

Until now, Quick Share primarily worked between Android devices or with Windows machines. Google announced today that Pixel 10 users can now select nearby iPhones, iPads or Macs within Quick Share and send files using AirDrop’s “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode, without routing data through any server.

According to Google’s security blog, the connection remains entirely direct. Shared content is never logged, and extra data is not exchanged. The company emphasises that your data is not uploaded to a remote location: the link is built only between the two devices, directly. To make sure you are sharing with the right person, Google suggests confirming the recipient’s device name in person before sending.

Google added that this interoperability was introduced with “strong safeguards that were tested by independent security experts”. At present, Quick Share only works in tandem with AirDrop in the Everyone-for-10-minutes setting, but Google says it hopes to expand support in the future. In its announcement, the company expressed interest in working with Apple to support AirDrop’s “Contacts Only” mode.

The rollout starts with Pixel 10 phones, though Google has not yet specified a timeline for extending the feature to older Pixel models. The company’s support documentation makes clear that the new Quick Share–AirDrop integration is not limited to just the iPhone; it also works with iPad and macOS devices.

To use the feature, an iOS or macOS user must open their AirDrop settings and select “Everyone for 10 minutes”. On the Android side, users then open Quick Share, select the Apple device from the list of nearby devices, and wait for the recipient to tap Accept on their AirDrop notification.

The move marks a significant step in cross-platform file sharing, bridging a long-standing divide between Android and Apple ecosystems. Google’s decision to prioritise privacy and peer-to-peer security may help encourage broader adoption, but integrating with Apple’s proprietary sharing systems could also raise questions about future interoperability and data protection.

As the feature rolls out, early adopters will no doubt put it to the test. For now, those using Pixel 10 devices have access to a file-sharing system that brings Android devices and Apple machines closer than ever, without needing third-party apps or cloud intermediaries.